CAFDoc_34-E_CAF Technical Policy v01 JB - Canadian Aikido

17 Pages·2016·0.22 MB·English

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Identification

Date of Issue: 2013 –11-15

Date of Modification: 2014-05-02

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Table of Contents

Introduction Page 2
Context Page 2
Definitions Page 2
Chapter 1 – Examination Committee Page 3
Chapter 2 – Shidoin System Page 6
Chapter 3 – Testing Page 10
Chapter 4 – PPrroommoottiioonn bbyy RReeccoommmmeennddaattiioonn Page 13
Chapter 5 – Shihan Nomination Page 15
ANNEX A – Hombu Rules for aappppooiinnttmmeenntt ooff SShhiihhaann Page 16

Page 1 of 17
Introduction

This policy is intended to provide direction as to all technical aspects of Aikido with regards to structure of
the Examination Committee, testing, promotions, the Shidoin System and Shihan nomination.

Context

Aikido is a Japanese Martial art which is hierarchical in nature. Students of Aikido progress through the
different levels of rank by passing required tests as laid out in the CAF Testing Requirements, and at senior
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levels ( 5 dan and above) by recommendation. Students can be promoted by recommendation at levels
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below 5 dan but these situations occur only where the Aikidoist is unable to test.

Definitions

CAF Aikidoist – Is an Aikidoist of any level practicing in any dojo which is a registered with the
Canadian Aikido Federation.

Examination Committee – The term Examination Committee refers to the combined Examination and
Technical Committee. From this point forward, the term Technical Committee will cease to be used in favour
of Examination Committee.

Remote Dojo – For the purposes of this document, “remote dojo” refers to a dojo that is not within a practical
driving distance from a major city centre (other than the community where it is located) where seminars or
camps are held at least fairly frequently. Dojos wishing to have remote dojo status must apply to the CAF
Board of Directors through the CAF Secretary.

Shidoin – For the purposes of these TORs the term “Shidoin” is used to refer to both Active and Inactive
CAF Shidoin exclusively, not for Shidoin from other organizations. For more information on Active and
Inactive Shidoin, please refer to the Shidoin System for Canadian Aikido Federation document.

Shihan – An honorific title meaning Master Level Instructor.

Page 2 of 17
Chapter 1 - EXAMINATION COMMITTEE

Introduction

This chapter is intended to provide an explanation of the composition of the Exam Committee and
its responsibilities.

Examination Committee Structure

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The Examination Committee is a permanent committee of 6 dan and higher members CAF Shihan or
Shidoin, appointed by, and serving at the pleasure of, the Technical Director. Under the leadership of the
Technical Director, it is the primary source of technical direction to the CAF. Its roles are to ensure that the
examinations are conducted in accordance with the CAF requirements, to suggest modifications to those
requirements to the CAF Board of directors if advisable, vet promotions by recommendation for approval by
the CAF Technical Director, and provide members to sit on Grading Panels for specific Examinations. The
Examination Committee is limited to a maximum of 12 members. Nominations are not permanent and senior
Canadian Aikidoists may rotate through the Committee as the Technical Director sees fit.

Examination Committee Role

As stated above, the Examination Committee is a permanent committee established by the CAF Board of
Directors. The Examination Committee will submit a report on its activities annually, either in person or to
the CAF Secretary electronically, summarizing its discussions on tests over the previous year. The committee
members should also be prepared to discuss all aspects of testing with the Technical Director at his pleasure.

Examination Committee Responsibilities

• To observe and track the quality of tests of CAF members.

• To provide insight and advice with regard to the CAF grading requirements and grading expectations
to CAF members.

• To provide an annual report to the CAF Board of Directors on the quality of tests over the previous year.

• To consider all requests for promotion by recommendation as described in the “Promotion by
Recommendation” policy and, if approved, forward them to the Technical Director for final signature.
(All requests for promotion by recommendation should be sent to the CAF Secretary who in turn

forwards the request to the Examination Committee. All requests must be received by the CAF
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Secretary no later than September 1st, and by the Technical Director no later than October 30 .)

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• In the absence of the Technical Director, to serve as the authority on all technical aspects of Aikido,
including, promotions, the Shidoin System and Shihan nominations and to provide members for
Grading Panels.

Grading Panel Structure

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Grading Panels are ad-hoc groups formed for the purpose of conducting Examinations for 1 , 2nd and 3 dan
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testing in the absence of the Technical Director. (1 kyu tests may be conducted by instructors who have
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attained the rank of 4 dan who are testing their own students; however, Grading Panels may be called upon
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to perform 1 kyu tests, especially for students of instructors under 4 dan). Grading Panels shall typically be
formed of no less than three members of the Examination Committee.

In the case of remote dojos or at seminars where only one Examination Committee member is available to
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conduct grading for 1 dan tests, one or more CAF Shidoin may be selected to sit on the Grading Panel in
consultation with the Examination Committee member on the Grading Panel.

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For 2 dan tests in remote dojos or at seminars where only one or two Examination Committee members is
available, two CAF Shidoin may be selected to sit on the Grading Panel in consultation with the
Examination Committee member. The CAF Secretary will not process senior tests where the Grading Panel
d oes not meet these criteria.
3rd Dan tests will be conducted under a Panel composed of 3 Exam Committee members.

For a more in-depth description of testing, and who can perform tests for different levels, please see the
CAF Testing Policy.

Grading Panel Formation

• When a seminar organizer is not certain that enough Examination Committee members to form a
suitable Grading Panel will be available at seminars where senior exams are to be conducted, it is the
responsibility of seminar organizers to make a request through the CAF Secretary to the Examination
Committee for the formation and attendance of a suitable Grading Panel. This request should be made
a minimum of one month prior to the seminar.

• If required, it will be the responsibility of the seminar organizers to cover the travel costs of the
Grading Panel where they are attending the seminar for the sole purpose of conducting the tests. Other
remuneration may also be offered at the discretion of the hosting dojo.

• As the Grading Panel is an ad-hoc group formed from Examination Committee members only for the
purpose of conducting senior level testing, the Grading Panel will only be in existence for the
duration of the tests for which it was convened.

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Grading Panel Responsibilities

• To conduct fair and unbiased testing using the CAF Grading Requirements as their baseline for
techniques to be performed, and using notes provided by the Technical Director and the
Examination Committee.

• To provide verbal feedback to the CAF member being tested, if requested.

• To provide a pass or fail decision by majority vote, to be rendered as soon following the test as
is reasonable.

• To provide insight and advice with regards to the CAF grading requirements and grading expectations
to CAF members.

• To provide feedback to the CAF Examination Committee as a framework for areas in which the CAF
Examination Committee should be making particular efforts when providing instruction or guidance
to CAF members.

Page 5 of 17
Chapter 2 - SHIDOIN SYSTEM

Introduction

This chapter is intended to provide direction as to the composition, roles and responsibilities of the
CAF Shidoin.

Policy Statement

A Shidoin System has been put into place as mandated by Hombu Dojo in Japan. It is also recognized that the
CAF must take ownership of technical issues to ensure its long-term growth and the growth of Aikido in
Canada.

It is understood that the Shidoin System must be transparent, and the administration of each dojo must be
fully aware of any discussion or reports made regarding specific dojos and/or instructors. The intent is to
provide local and regional technical supervision, develop leadership and teaching skills, and to ensure the
growth of Aikido within Canada over the long term.

The purpose of the Shidoin relationship with a dojo is advice, mentoring and observation. However, while it is
the responsibility of each Shidoin to reach out to each dojo under their purview and offer to visit, it is entirely
at the discretion of the dojos whether they accept the offer.

Shidoin System Structure

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• Ideally, at least one Shidoin who meets the minimum Hombu requirement of 4-5 dan, has been
approved by the Examination Committee and confirmed by the Technical Director, should be named for
each Provincial or Territorial Association. Ontario and B.C. should each have at least two Shidoin

who meet the same criteria, due to the large number of dojos. A minimum of two reference letters from
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senior practitioners of 5 dan or higher are required for each new submission. (These references are
not required for the reappointment of inactive shidoin to active status.)

• Any nominee must be recognized by the EC for his/her technical and teaching skills and the EC
should have no objections on any other grounds.

• Shidoin status should not be automatic or honorific. It should be conferred by the CAF upon the
direction of the CAF Examination Committee in consultation with the Technical Director, and can be
revoked by agreement of the Examination Committee and the Technical Director.

• Shidoin should go through a period of responsibility, teaching and mentoring for CAF dojos (besides
their own) so that they become aware of the level of technique and larger issues facing Aikido.

• The Shidoin are an adjunct to the Technical Director, responsible to him/her, and should be prepared to
discuss the dojos they are responsible for in confidence with the other Shidoin, the CAF Executive, the

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Technical Director and the Examination Committee.

• Shidoin may conduct kyu tests as described and permitted by the Technical Director. (See Chapter on
Testing, page 9 and the chapter on the Examination Committee, page 2 for more information on CAF
testing).

• The CAF Secretary will formally ask each Provincial/Territorial Association to submit annually a list of
qualified individuals they recommend for appointment as Shidoin for the consideration of the
Examination Committee. The Examination Committee may add other suitable candidates to the list at
its discretion. The Technical Director will make the final decision on who is to be named Shidoin.

• In cases where no provincial association exists, an existing Shidoin may put forward an individual for
consideration. These proposals would go to the Examination Committee, which would then assemble
a "master" list of possible Shidoin and submit it to the Technical Director for his consideration and
appointment. The process behind making these decisions should remain confidential.

• The initial appointment would normally entail a two-year relationship with local dojos.

• After they have completed the two-year assignment, current Shidoin will retain the title but become
“inactive” in terms of responsibility for monitoring CAF dojos, unless there is no one to take their place.
Only “Active” Shidoin qualify for travel subsidies if available and only their visits count as Shidoin
visits for the host dojo. In cases where a replacement is not available, Shidoin may retain their “active”
status at the discretion of the Technical Director. Typically the Examination Committee would consult
the appropriate provincial association when it prepares a recommendation for a Shidoin to continue their
active status. Following two years of “inactive” status as Shidoin, an individual may be immediately put
forward again by the association and reappointed to another two-year term at the discretion of the
Technical Director. The purpose of the period of inactivity is to give as many senior instructors as
possible the opportunity to serve in this role and to bring in others as they achieve the level needed to
become Shidoin.

• Senior instructors could have the benefit of learning from this office and dojos/students should have
the benefit of associating with various senior instructors.

• Ontario and B.C. both have numerous dojos and qualified instructors, as such, in Ontario and BC a
ratio of about one Shidoin per six to eight dojos should be established. If there are two or more Shidoin
in a province, the Shidoin will divide the dojos amongst themselves as they so wish. A likely way to do
this is geographically, so not too much traveling is involved.

• Where multiple Shidoin are available, a dojo should be permitted to make a special request that one
individual in particular work with them, though it is to be hoped that this will be a rare occurrence.

• Shidoin may agree to assume responsibility for dojos in other provinces, at the request of that dojo
and with the agreement of the Technical Director. This proviso is intended mainly to support existing
relationships between senior instructors and remote dojos. It is important to note, that Shidoin travel
subsidies will be paid only for the geographically closest Shidoin.

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• Shidoin must make any assessments made of the program or capabilities of a dojo available to the
dojo following the visit.

The Shidoin title may be revoked by either the Technical Director or the CAF Board of Directors.

Shidoin Duties

• The Shidoin must visit each dojo in their purview at least once (and hopefully more often) during their
two-year term. The intent is to observe teaching, to see how students are progressing, to make note of
any problems, to discuss issues with the instructors, to advise and inform. This is not an inspection,
audit or inquisition - the Shidoin should be able to make positive suggestions based on their experience
on a "mentoring" and friendly basis. These visits are strictly voluntary for the host dojo and occur
entirely at their discretion. Reasonable travel expenses should be borne by the host dojo, including, for
example, a fair amount for automobile mileage. These expenses should be agreed upon in advance. If a
Shidoin is invited to teach a class or classes where no extra fee is being charged of the students, it is at
their discretion to require payment. If a fee is being charged for the classes where a Shidoin is
instructing, Shidoin may be paid an amount at the discretion of the hosting dojo, however, the basic
purpose of these visits, is to observe.

• Shidoin will also be prepared to discuss the technical level and any problems in dojos under their
purview with the Technical Director or the Examination Committee as required. This will be a
confidential discussion to bring the Technical Director or the Examination/Committee up to date on
local conditions. It is recommended that the Shidoin meet as a group a minimum of once every two
years, together with the CAF Examination Committee and the Technical Director, to discuss technical
standards and share their experiences. It may be possible to do this in the context of a major seminar
or camp. Such discussion will be necessary to advance the Shidoin Program.

• Shidoin shall have the authority to sign Yudansha Books at seminars they are teaching where the
seminar is a minimum of one full day of classes for a gathering of Aikidoists from more than one
dojo, and the Yudansha has attended at least 3 hours at the seminar.

Fukushidoin

• In cases where a province does not have an individual qualified to be ranked as Shidoin, and no Shidoin

from a nearby area is available, the provincial association or an Examination Committee member may
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recommend to the EC the appointment of a 2 dan or 3 dan individual as a “Fukushidoin” to serve
some of the same functions of a Shidoin. Such appointments must be approved by the EC and
confirmed by the Technical Director. Fukushidoin status can be revoked by agreement of the CAF and
the Technical Director.

• Fukushidoin status should be treated as a stage in developing towards Shidoin, with similar duties and
requirements, but set at levels appropriate to a less-experienced instructor. Fukushidoin should be

Page 8 of 17
prepared to consult with the Technical Director, the Examination Committee and the CAF Shidoin
as required to discuss the duties involved and obtain mentoring on their activities.

Other Requirements

• Each Shidoin/Fukushidoin appointed by the CAF must have certification in first aid and CPR. While
this is not a traditional element of Aikido practice from a technical point of view, the CAF executive
strongly believes that it represents “due diligence” in safety on the part of our organization.

• It is recommended that Shidoin have certification from the National Coaching Certification Program
or an equivalent recognized by the CAF.

Absence of a Technical Director

• In the event that a Technical Director is not available to oversee the Shidoin Program for an
extended period of time, the Examination Committee shall oversee it until a Technical Director
becomes available.

Page 9 of 17
Chapter 3 - TESTING

Introduction

This Chapter is intended to provide direction to all CAF dojos for the testing or promotion of CAF Aikidoists.

Policy Statement

The CAF is committed to providing timely and accessible opportunities for examinations at all levels to member
dojos and their students. Examinations up to 3rd dan will be available a minimum of two times a year in various
Canadian locations. In situations where it is impractical for a three member examination panel to travel to conduct
higher level exams, alternative arrangements can be made by applying by email to the CAF Board, emails should
be directed to the CAF Secretary and received a minimum of one month prior to the tests. In all cases, the CAF test
requirements and expectation of consistent high technical standards will be respected.

All testing is to be done within the structure of the Canadian Aikido Federation and performed as per the
requirements laid out in the Canadian Aikido Federation Testing Requirements. The only exception to this
rule is for tests done under Yamada Shihan. In these situations, the USAF Testing Requirements may be used.

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All testing done within the structure of the Canadian Aikido Federation for levels of 1 dan through 4 dan is
to be conducted by the CAF Technical Director. In the absence of the Technical Director, a Grading Panel will
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be convened to conduct the tests on his behalf, with the exception of 4 dan tests which must be conducted by
the Technical Director. The Grading Panel will be made up of members of the Examination Committee.

Kyu testing

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• 5 and 4 kyu tests may be conducted by a student’s instructor who is 2 dan and above.
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• Chief instructors of 3d dan rank may test their own students up to 2 kyu.
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• 3 , 2 and 1 kyu tests may be conducted by a student’s instructor who is 4 dan or above.
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• Where an instructor of 2 or 3 dan is grading his/her own students they must invite a CAF Shidoin
to visit the subject dojo a minimum of once per year.
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• Only instructors 4 dan and above may conduct 1 kyu tests and these are limited to those in their
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own dojo. Other 1 kyu tests must be conducted by a member of the CAF Examination Committee.
(See the Examination Committee chapter page 2”
• If an examiner is conducting a test in any dojo other than their own, he/she must be a CAF Shidoin or
Examination Committee member. In such cases the CAF Board must be notified in advance by email
and confirmation obtained. Emails should be directed to the CAF Secretary for permission and
received a minimum of one week in advance of the test.

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